Lamp adapted for mounting on music sheet support



A. FILLER Dec. 31, 1963 LAMP ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING ON MUSIC SHEET SUPPORTFiled Feb. 26, 1962 INVENTOI? ABRAHAM FILLER A rrokwf United StatesPatent 3,116,024 LAMP ADAPTED FOR MOUNTlNG 0N MUSIC SHEET SUPPORTAbraham Filier, Great Neck, N.Y. Mrs. Michael Fader, Massapequa Park,N.Y.) Filed Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 175,562 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-0-4) Thisinvention relates to lamp constructions and is especially concerned witha lamp construction adapted for use in conjunction with an upstandingmusic support to illuminate music carried by the support.

While there have, in the past, been proposed lamps of variousconstruction-s intended for illuminating sheet music when in use upon amusic stand or support, these prior constructions have not found wideacceptance, their use having been unsatisfactory in one or more respectsor limited to a particular type of music support or stand. Thus, it isnow conventional to employ a picture-type lamp for use in conjunctionwith collapsible and similartype music stands, which type of lampconstruction is inconvenient and unreliable, while the use of desk-typelamps is common for illuminating music on self-standing instruments,such as pianos, or the like.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a lampconstruction for illuminating music on a music support which is adaptedfor use in conjunction with a wide variety of music supports, includingupright, spinet, console, and grand pianos, and organs, as well as manydifferent constructions of collapsible and permanently set-up musicstands.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a music lamp ofthe type described having unique structural features enabling connectionto an electrical socket on either side of the music support withoutdoubling or reverse bending of the electric cord.

The instant invention further contemplates the provision of a novelstructural means for embracing engagement with a music support or stand,which means is adjustable both as to height and shape, so as to beuniversally applicable to all design variations of music supports.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a music-lampconstruction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in thepreceding paragraphs, which is of simple, durable and entirely reliablestructure and operation, which is neat, attractive and inconspicuous inuse, extremely versatile for entirely satisfactory operation under allconditions, and which is capable of economical manufacture for sale at areasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of par-ts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a musiclamp construction ofthe present invention in operative association with the music support ofa piano.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the lamp and piano of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial front elcvational view of the instant lampconstruction, somewhat enlarged and partially broken away for clarity ofunderstanding.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 andillustrating in phantom a feature of versatility.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG.4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated therein a piano generallydesignated 19, and a lamp or music-illuminating means 11, constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, the lamp beingshown in operative association with the piano. The piano 10 may beconventional, and is shown as the type having an upwardly facing surface12, and a plate or board 13 upstanding from the surface 12 forsupporting sheet music 14- having its lower edge resting on the upwardlyfacing surface. The sheet music is shown in FIG. 2.

The lamp 11 includes a lower part or base 16 adapted to rest on theupwardly facing surface 12 proximate to the music support 13, and whichcarries upstanding therefrom a standard 17. On the upper region of thestandard is provided .a lamp proper 18, which may include a lamp bulband a suitable shade therefor. Carried by the standard 17 is aconstruction, generally designated Ztl, for holding the lamp 11 in adesired operative association with the support 13.

The lower part or base 16 may include a generally fiat board or plate21, which may be semi-circular, as shown, or of other desiredconfiguration. In the illustrated embodiment, the base or plate 21 has agenerally straight lower edge 22 adapted to rest on the upwardly facingsurface 12, and may be further formed with a generally semi-circular orarcuate edge 23 extending between and connected at opposite sides to thelower edge, as by rounded corners 24 and 25. The corners 24 and 25 maythus be considered as located at opposite side edges of the plate 21.

The plate 21 is formed with an inwardly or downwardly extending hole 27,which opens upward through the uppermost region of edge 23. As best seenin FIG. 3, the hole 27 extends generally vertically, substantiallynormal to the lower edge 22; and, the upper part of the hole is of anoblate o-r ovaloid cross-sectional configuration, having its major axisgenerally coplanar with the plate 21. An open-ended tubular ferrule orbushing 28 is conformably engaged in the hole 27, and is preferablyprovided with a circumferential upper end flange 29 seated on the edge23. The plate hole 27 and its bushing 28 thus combine to define anupwardly opening socket of a non-circular internal cross-sectionalconfiguration sy-mmetrical about a plane normal to the plate 21, as aplane containing the minor axis of the oblate cross-sectional socketconfiguration.

An internal passageway 31) is formed in the plate 21, coplanartherewith, having one end region, as at 31, opening upward into thelower end of the socket 2'7, 28. The passageway 30 extends from thelower socket end entirely within the plate 21 to an opening 32 at oneside of the plate through the side edge thereof. For example, theinternal passageway 36 may open through one rounded corner 25 of theplate 21.

The standard 17 may advantageously be fabricated of tube stock andinclude a generally vertical tubular portion 34 having its lower endregion 35 deformed to an ovaloid cross-sectional configuration forconforming engagement in the socket 27, 23. That is, the lower portion35 of standard 17 is removably engaged downward in the socket 27, 28,and may alternatively be removed from the socket, rotated 180 degreesabout its axis, and replaced in the socket, for a purpose appearingpresently.

The other end region of the tubular standard 17 is bent at 36 to extendforward in a generally horizontal portion 37, normal to the plane of themajor axis of socket 27, 28. On the forward end of the horizontalportion 37 is the lamp proper 18, which may be adjusted to direct itsrays of illumination toward the music 14. An electric supply cord 39extends from electrical connection with the lamp assembly 18, throughthe tube portions 37, 36 and $4, downward and outward through the lowerend portion 35 of the standard, and thence through the passageway 30 ofthe plate 21 and exteriorly of the plate through the passageway opening32. The electric cord 39 may be provided with a manual switch 46, and anend plug 41 for engagement in an electrical receptacle. Thus, it willnow be appreciated that upon withdrawal of the lower standard endportion 35 from the socket 27, 28, of the base 16, subsequent rotationof the base 180 degrees and reengagement of the lower end portion of thestandard in the socket, the electric cord 39 is adapted for selectiveextension from either side of the lamp construction. This, of course,enables the cord to extend directly to an electrical receptacle, withoutreversal or doubling of the cord, no matter what the relative locationbetween the lamp and the receptacle.

The holding means 2th includes a tubular part axially circumposed aboutthe vertical portion 34 of standard 17 and longitudinally shiftabletherealong for selective location at any desired elevation. At one endof the tubular part 44, the upper end in the illustrated embodiment,there is provided a deformable extension 45 for embracing engagementover an edge of the music support 13. The tubular part 44 of the holdingmeans thus connects the deformable extension 45 to the standard 17, andembracing engagement of the extension 45 about a music support 13insures that the lamp 11 is firmly held in a desired position withrespect to the music support and sheet music carried thereby. Indot-anddash outline in FIG. 4 is shown the holding means 243 in analternative position adjusted upward along the standard 1.7 forembracing engagement of its deformable extension 45 about a musicsupport 13a of greater height than the support 13.

The holding means may advantageously be fabricated of wire, preferablycovered, or insulated wire, and may be formed of a single integrallength of wire. More specifically, the tubular part 4-4 (FIG. 3), may beformed of a single, integral piece of wire doubled or bent upon itselfto define a pair of longitudinal coextensive lengths 47 and 48 connectedtogether by a U-shaped bend 46. The pair of longitudinally coextensivelengths of wire may then be helically coiled together to define thetubular part 44. That is, the tubular part 44 may be considered asformed of a pair of helically coiled lengths of wire 47 and 43, eachdefining a helical coil with the convolutions of each coil interposed inalternate relation between an adjacent pair of convolutions of the othercoil. By this construction the tubular part 44 may readily be drawntight about the standard 17 for firm fric tional engagement therewith,or loosened for ease of coil movement along the standard.

:The extension 45 extends from the upper end of the coil 44, opposite tothe bend 46, and is composed of the wire lengths 47 and 48, each beingseparately wound to form a planar spiral, as at 49 and 5t respectively.A slidable sleeve or tube 51 receives the wires 47 and 48 in the regionbetween the tubular part or helical coil 44 and the extension spirals 49and 50.

The generally planar spirals 49 and 50 of extension 45 are coated with asubstantial covering of soft plastic, to form integral unitary pads andmay be selectively located and arranged to insure firm embracingengagement of the extension 45 with a music support. While the planarspirals 49 and 5%) are well suited for facing engagement with theplatealike music support 13, it will also be appreciated that the greatlatitude in adjustment, location and configuration of the extensionspirals provides for firm embracing engagement thereof with a widevariety of music-support constructions, including fancy filigreed musicsupports, collapsible music stands, etc. Hence, by the above-describedconstruction of holding means 20, the illuminating means 11 may befirmly secure-d in proper position on a wide variety of music supportsfor illuminating music carried thereby, even under the most difficultconditions of use.

While the lamp 11 is shown in the drawings as having its base 16 restingon edge on the surface 12 of a piano, forward of the music support 13,as between the support and the music 14, which would be a practicalarrangement for many grand or spinet pianos, it is, of course,appreciated that the illuminating construction 11 may also convenientlybe arranged with its base 16 rearward of the support 13.

In the former relation, the extension 45 would extend re arwardly overand in embracing engagement with the music support, retaining thestandard 17 in position leaning against the support. A friction O ring55 may also be used on the standard 17 to serve as an adjustable stop toprevent inadvertent upward movement of the tubular part 44.

From the foregoing, it is seen. that the present invention provides anilluminating lamp for music supports which fully accomplishes itsintended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions ofmanufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Apparatus for illuminating sheet music which rests on an upstandingmusic support, said apparatus comprising in combination a thin planarplate having a fiat bottom edge for resting proximate to a sheet-musicsupport, a standard upstanding from an upper edge of said plate, a lampproper carried by the upper region of said standard, and holding meanscarried by said standard, said holding means including a helical coilcircumposed about said standard and defining a tubular part shiftablelongitudinally of said standard, an end portion of said coil extendingradially from said tubular part and readily bendable for embracingengagement with a sheet-music support for holding said standard andhence said lamp in proper position, said tubular part comprising a pairof helically coiled wires each having its convolutions interposedbetween adjacent convolutions of the other and integrally connected attheir lower ends, the upper ends of said wires being free and definingsaid extension, said upper Wire ends each being wound in a generallycoplanar spiral and selectively distortable for engagement with a faceof a said sheet-music support of any construction, a sleeve engagedabout said pair of wires between the spirals and helical coils thereofand shiftable along said wires as desired, said plate having a socket,opening upward from its upper edge for receiving the lower end of saidstandard, said plate being formed with an internal passagewaycommunicating with the inner end of said socket and opening through oneside edge of said plate for receiving an electric cord, said socketbeing of non-circular internal cross-sectional configuration and thelower region of said standard being of an external cross-sectionalconfiguration for removable conforming engage- 5 ment in said socket.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, said socket being of an internalcross-sectional configuration symmetrical about a plane normal to saidplate, for removable engagement of said standard in said socket withsaid plate rotated 186' degrees to locate said cord-passageway openingon a selected side of said standard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSHamilton Aug. 23, 1904 Heine Apr. 3, 1923 Lieberman June 1, 1926Mathia-sen Nov. 29, 1932 Davis May 2, 1950 Conrad Ian. 5, 1960

1. APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATING SHEET MUSIC WHICH RESTS ON AN UPSTANDINGMUSIC SUPPORT, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A THIN PLANARPLATE HAVING A FLAT BOTTOM EDGE FOR RESTING PROXIMATE TO A SHEET-MUSICSUPPORT, A STANDARD UPSTANDING FROM AN UPPER EDGE OF SAID PLATE, A LAMPPROPER CARRIED BY THE UPPER REGION OF SAID STANDARD, AND HOLDING MEANSCARRIED BY SAID STANDARD, SAID HOLDING MEANS INCLUDING A HELICAL COILCIRCUMPOSED ABOUT SAID STANDARD AND DEFINING A TUBULAR PART SHIFTABLELONGITUDINALLY OF SAID STANDARD, AN END PORTION OF SAID COIL EXTENDINGRADIALLY FROM SAID TUBULAR PART AND READILY BENDABLE FOR EMBRACINGENGAGEMENT WITH A SHEET-MUSIC SUPPORT FOR HOLDING SAID STANDARD ANDHENCE SAID LAMP IN PROPER POSITION, SAID TUBULAR PART COMPRISING A PAIROF HELICALLY COILED WIRES EACH HAVING ITS CONVOLUTIONS INTERPOSEDBETWEEN ADJACENT CONVOLUTIONS OF THE OTHER AND INTEGRALLY CONNECTED ATTHEIR LOWER ENDS, THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID WIRES BEING FREE AND DEFININGSAID EXTENSION, SAID UPPER WIRE ENDS EACH BEING WOUND IN A GENERALLYCOPLANAR SPIRAL AND SELECTIVELY DISTORTABLE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A FACEOF A SAID SHEET-MUSIC SUPPORT OF ANY CONSTRUCTION, A SLEEVE ENGAGEDABOUT SAID PAIR OF WIRES BETWEEN THE SPIRALS AND HELICAL COILS THEREOFAND SHIFTABLE ALONG SAID WIRES AS DESIRED, SAID PLATE HAVING A SOCKET,OPENING UPWARD FROM ITS UPPER EDGE FOR RECEIVING THE LOWER END OF SAIDSTANDARD, SAID PLATE BEING FORMED WITH AN INTERNAL PASSAGEWAYCOMMUNICATING WITH THE INNER END OF SAID SOCKET AND OPENING THROUGH ONESIDE EDGE OF SAID PLATE FOR RECEIVING AN ELECTRIC CORD, SAID SOCKETBEING OF NON-CIRCULAR INTERNAL CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION AND THELOWER REGION OF SAID STANDARD BEING OF AN EXTERNAL CROSS-SECTIONALCONFIGURATION FOR REMOVABLE CONFORMING ENGAGEMENT IN SAID SOCKET.